Fans of Petite Jacqueline, the little French bistro that has been at 190 State St. in Portland’s Longfellow Square since 2011, will have one last chance to dine there on New Year’s Eve before the restaurant closes while the owners look for a new space.
Michelle Corry, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Steve, said they decided to move because of higher rent, unspecified issues with their landlord, and a desire for more parking. They also want to “expand and improve” the 48-seat restaurant, she said.
The Corrys also own Five Fifty-Five on Congress Street and the Portland Patisserie and Grand Cafe on Market Street.
Although they haven’t yet settled on a new location for Petite Jacqueline, Corry estimated that the restaurant will reopen in its new spot by April or May. Gift certificates will be valid at the new restaurant, she said. If it opens after April, customers will also have the option of using their gift certificates at Five Fifty-Five.
The final dinner at Petite Jacqueline in its current location will be held New Year’s Eve, with seatings from 5 to 10 p.m. The $75 dinner will be a three-course tasting with champagne, with supplemental dishes and wine pairings available as add-ons. From 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., the restaurant will serve light snacks with a cash bar to ring in the new year.
Petite Jacqueline has been a popular neighborhood spot in the West End, combining sleek and modern seating with original wood flooring, a charming bay window area, and lots of photos of France on the walls. The restaurant is named after Michelle Corry’s French grandmother and was a semi-finalist for a James Beard Award in 2o12.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
